Canigao Island - Leyte This small island off the southeastern coast of Leyte is an inexpensive weekend get away for locals and tourists.
Canigao is overlooked by most of the guide books but is easy enough to get to from Matalom.
Pump boats ferry visitors back and forth in about 15 minutes between the mainland and Canigao for 450 pesos per round trip.
Canigao Island Ferry
We paid 400 pesos for a”special trip” as there were no other people to share the fare with on late Friday afternoon. We made arrangements to be picked up the following morning at 10 am. on Saturday. Secure parking is available near the pier – just ask the boatman.
Canigao Island accommodation
Nipa huts rent for 300 pesos per day with an additional 200 peso charge if you plan to stay overnight. Benches line the inside perimeter but they are not all that comfortable to sleep on.
Some people bring over small tents to camp in which is allowed, and a nominal fee of 15 pesos per person will be collected.
There is light available in the nipa huts until midnight and music blares through the night from loudspeakers on the lifeguard tower until the electricity gets turned off.
There are no electrical outlets but you can charge cell phones at the Canteen. Interestingly enough Beth was able to update her facebook that night from the nipa we were staying at. I am not exactly sure why we had to take a note book along – whatever :)
Canigao Swimmers
White Sand Beach
Some people call Canigao the other Boracay but Canigao gets more of a local crowd.
A walk around the entire island takes about 30 minutes. Some of the local fishermen leave their boats on the far side and I am told that they will sell fish to visitors to grill.
Canigao is a marine sanctuary so no shells or coral is to be collected and taken away.
A special thank you is reserved for the grounds crew that work hard keeping everything clean and tidy! They start raking the beach first thing in the morning so everything is ready by the time the visitors arrive.
White sand beach
Canigao Sunset
Canigao Sunset
The Canigao lighthouse is kind of boring but it does the job protecting ships that are following the coast by keeping them from running aground.
It also acts as a guiding light to boats headed to Hilongos, Bato and Matalom.
Canigao
Return trip to Matalom.
Pier near Matalom
Canigao Island
Climbing Mount Apo
General Santos
Growing Orchids
Judy's Resto Bar
Logging with Motorcycles
Mount Mayon
Balabac Island
Biri Island
Calbiga Cave
Capul Island
Mangrove Swamp Palawan
Mikes's Resort
wow so beautiful….I really like canigao!!
Nice post dp:)
Canigao is an islet for public recreational destination… it has a relaxing atmosphere and inexpensive place for fun..
myriad people appreciated its scenic view and wished to be there again for it brought most of their unforgettable moments..
moreover, it became the ‘talk of the town’ especially for those who have been there and for those who are planning to visit it..
thus, I’m proud to be Matalomnon!!!
very useful,,, great,, thanx
Hello…. Im from Victoria, Australia currently staying with my wife at brgy luna near dolores Ormoc city where we also built a concrete home. maybe close to where you claim to have built not far from Tonganan Geothermal.
Do you still live in this area?
Just curious to share some notes as my wife and I visit Ormoc often.
We are impressed by your comprehensive website on the Philippines. You are obviously blessed with travel opportunities. A truly wonderful experience for you especially being married to a filipina.
Regards,
Mark and Lea
hi,can i ask if there is any tents for rent there?if there is, how much is the rent and where can we find it?
Hello mae,
I did not see any tents available for rent on Canigao Island but maybe they have a few. The campers that I saw all brought their own along.
The nipas on the beach are also available for overnite rentals. There is also one tree house for rent – pretty cool :)
Canigao is really cool :)
dp
Hi! Just wanna ask some updates of the price if there’s any. am planning to visit there in December or January and stay overnight with the whole family. Thank you very much for this site, it helps a lot.
Hello Ruth,
They will probably be busy during the Christmas season so you might want to try to book in advance. Accommodation is limited on Canigao Island . They are basically nipas with benches along the walls.
have fun
dp
From Tacloban, it takes 3 hours to reach Matalom, the gateway to Canigao Island. A small island with white sand and great sunset view, and the cheap destination for a quick weekend getaway.
Hello ann
Thanks for the info : )
I agree – Canigao Island is a great weekend get away !
dp
.hellow,,,just asking if we can stay canigao island with couple of living,,,really i am married with an american and he point out canigao to our honeymoon,,,,waiting your comeback.
Hello marjane,
There are some simple places that you can stay overnight but they are not very comfortable. The cr and showers are in the other building. I stayed in one of the nipas with my girlfriend over night but it was not very comfortable. She did get a signal for her wi-fi and was happy to do her facebook from Canigao.Island – very funny to me
Some people take tents and are permitted to camp on the grounds also.
I suggest that you just arrive in the morning and bring along some food. Have a nice picnic and do some swimming and then go back to shore in the afternoon. Just let the boatman know about your intentions.
It is a beautiful walk to go around the entire island. Some fishermen keep their boats on the back side and you can sometimes buy fish to grill from them.
enjoy !
dp